September introduces the best time of the year. Hands down IMO. It might have been the most steady month for me in terms of stability and being able to... feel positive without simultaneously feeling miserable. Does that make sense? When I visualize 2020, it's like a balancing scale of dread and hope. The prior trying real hard to win. In September, hope won. Was it the same for you?
moving faster than expected.
We plan to move from our one-bedroom apartment by summer 2021. I didn't anticipate that I'd be viewing potential homes in 2020! We're doing that! I spoke more about this in my recent YouTube video, but it seems like fall will be the peak of our house hunt. Who would have thought? I don't mind, but it does make me a lot more nervous a lot sooner than anticipated.
The food website is also coming along well. We have a domain! I'm still designing so it's not available to see yet, but stay tuned. I'm on Twitter and Instagram if you're interested in those updates.
You might have noticed on the blog, but I've brought back email newsletters as the new "Cinnamon Pie Club"! I really missed my email fam and I've been considering bringing it back for the past six months. The return letter has already been sent!
September marks my one year anniversary on Patreon! Our little coven turns one! I posted a celebratory podcast talking about my experience with the platform, including actual regrets I had along the journey. You can listen to it here.
some products i'm loving
Acure Brightening Vitamin C & Ferulic Acid Oil-Free Serum - I went looking for vegan & cruelty-free skincare products recently and this brand checks all boxes! There's a firming sensation as soon as I apply this serum to my face which I like. My skin feels a lot less textured these days!
Skeleton Air Plant at Trader Joes - I saw this planter all over Instagram when it released so you know I had to grab one! Everyone asks about my skeleton plant when they see it. It's at Trader Joe's! And it's only $6!
Seasonal Stirrers - Add a little spook or autumnal charm to your beverages, even if it's just your morning cup of coffee. That's what I've been doing lately. I actually have leftover witch broomstick stirrers from last year's Halloween party but there are plenty of fun options on Etsy.
Zillow - I deleted all of the house searching apps on my phone except Zillow. It's proven to be the most useful. A lot of the other apps don't feature enough details, photos, or clear information. Zillow outshines in all of this and I've been able to communicate with realtors and loan officers with a tap of a button.
Skeleton Air Plant at Trader Joes - I saw this planter all over Instagram when it released so you know I had to grab one! Everyone asks about my skeleton plant when they see it. It's at Trader Joe's! And it's only $6!
Seasonal Stirrers - Add a little spook or autumnal charm to your beverages, even if it's just your morning cup of coffee. That's what I've been doing lately. I actually have leftover witch broomstick stirrers from last year's Halloween party but there are plenty of fun options on Etsy.
Zillow - I deleted all of the house searching apps on my phone except Zillow. It's proven to be the most useful. A lot of the other apps don't feature enough details, photos, or clear information. Zillow outshines in all of this and I've been able to communicate with realtors and loan officers with a tap of a button.
looking forward.
There was quite a bit to celebrate in September - solidifying huge projects, showing gratitude for successes, my birthday (that's today!)... I enjoyed my month. And there's a lot to show up for in October. If you're in the US, early voting starts soon. Let's keep showing up, showing support, and giving hope an advantage on the scales.
At the start of 2020, I knew I was going to dread summer. Because I always dread the summer. I'm a cold season gal! Little did I know we'd be in this particular situation. There's a lot going on these days, both great and terrible. I can't keep up. Some thoughts ignite excitement - owning a home, two business plans in the works... but then there's Breonna Taylor and Jacob Blake and wars that take me back to the low of 2016. It's hard being human right now, ya know?
But if I let it put me down, it'll be torturous trying to get back up. I say this for my sake and your sake, if you're struggling. You can't allow it to put you down. And that's why we keep moving forward. Let's get on with it, then.
the beginning of huge changes.
I announced at the start of August: we're house hunting! Because this project is so huge, I can't really wrap my head around it? It's hard to visualize something with so many steps. I hope I can figure it out soon... lol. For now, we're saving money and having fun looking at listings. Any help is appreciated!
I also have two major business developments in the works. One is with a co-leader, so I can't talk about it yet. But the other is moving forward with my vegan health coach certification! I just got certified! I plan to expand this into a website full of recipes, blog posts, and a coaching program. But that's also in very early stages.
what i've been consuming
Vegan nutritional information. I've read through some texts, watched video studies, listened to podcasts, and I just got a huge textbook I'm tackling through. Nutrition and food science are super interesting! I want to absorb as much information as possible while I develop my coaching business.
some products i'm loving
Wandering Bear Cold Brew - I can be a bit of a coffee snob, but this is an impressive boxed coffee! It has a bold and well-balanced flavor. I don't need any milk for this, that's how good it is.
External Camera Microphone - This was a game-changer for my YouTube videos. I didn't even think it'd make a huge difference but it definitely did! The audio is extremely clear and crisp. No echo whatsoever. Videos before it were fine, but now they're fantastic.
The Vegan Starter Kit by Neal D. Barnard, MD, FACC - This short and sweet book is literally a starter kit for going vegan. The chapters are simple to read and understand. There are charts and guides that make for easy referencing, too. I really like Barnard's chill and welcoming approach to getting started. Makes things feel less intimidating.
Happy Bean Plant - I got my first indoor plant! Well, you know, a plant that's not an herb or fruit lol. This semi-succulent is beautiful and vibrant. It seems to be simple to take care of, too!
External Camera Microphone - This was a game-changer for my YouTube videos. I didn't even think it'd make a huge difference but it definitely did! The audio is extremely clear and crisp. No echo whatsoever. Videos before it were fine, but now they're fantastic.
The Vegan Starter Kit by Neal D. Barnard, MD, FACC - This short and sweet book is literally a starter kit for going vegan. The chapters are simple to read and understand. There are charts and guides that make for easy referencing, too. I really like Barnard's chill and welcoming approach to getting started. Makes things feel less intimidating.
Happy Bean Plant - I got my first indoor plant! Well, you know, a plant that's not an herb or fruit lol. This semi-succulent is beautiful and vibrant. It seems to be simple to take care of, too!
looking forward.
August was a mixed bag of emotions. I only hope that September will push more perseverance, more fire, more fight, and more passion in everything we set ourselves towards. I'm grateful for the cool weather to come! Did I read a book? Yes! I did! We better see it in the new month, too.
At the start of lockdown, I decided not to touch my hair. No trimming, no cutting, no product use... just let it be. And let it grow as long as possible. But from March to May my hair did... nothing lol. So I took it a step further and invested in Vegamour to help with overall growth and quality. I know you've seen the weekly updates on Instagram, but I'm here to keep it real. Is this stuff worth it?
what is vegamour?Vegamour is a 100% vegan solution for hair shedding and loss with no side effects. They provide powerful but natural products for eyebrow, lash, and hair growth. Not only do the products improve length, but they also improve density (so you can get those thicc brows/lashes/hair!).
The brand relies heavily on its scientific research to prove their effectiveness. There’s a whole page on their site explaining the process, from clinical studies to ingredient details. Personally, I love a product that can throw some facts at me!
details.There are options for hair, brows, lashes, etc. but this review will stick to the hair serum only (because that’s the only thing I tried lol).
Serums:
Gro Hair Serum $48 ($40 with subscription)
Gro+ Advanced Hair Serum $68 ($58 with subscription)
You can choose among multiple bundles, ranging from bottles in bulk to bottles paired with (vegan) gummies. The combinations all depend on your needs and they are discounted. You can also order a la carte or via subscription with the latter offering an additional discount. You may want to consider this subscription because of the way the serums work. I’ll get into that in a moment! You can cancel or delay shipments at any time (and it’s easy to do so).
Disclaimer: The below review is strictly for the Gro+ Advanced Hair Serum! For $10 off your first order, you can use my referral code linked here (not sponsored).
prosEasy to use: You just fill the eyedropper with product and apply it to your scalp. Massage and done. Takes no more than five minutes! The consistency is liquidy so it can run through your hair easily.
Unscented: Once you apply, it’s invisible. I like that.
Doesn’t affect hairstyle: Speaking of, it’s so subtle that it doesn’t affect my hair quality once applied. No one likes a serum that weighs the hair down, makes it look oily, etc. This serum literally does the work in hiding. No frills, just doing its job.
IT WORKS: I have proof of significant hair length and thickness in just one month. Here are the photos. Now before you start with the that's not impressive stuff, hear me out. My hair is fried. It has been bleached 3 times in a row to a point of nearly falling off into my hands. You need to move mountains to get my hair to improve. For three months, my hair did not budge - just sat on my head like a frazzled, fried, unraveled mop. After using the serum for one month, I saw results. That is impressive. Oh, and zero side effects.
consIt really only lasts a month: I thought I’d be able to stretch the bottle, but it’s not possible. It’s not really a con against the product itself. But a lot of high-end products can be stretched so I wish I could have gotten away with it here.
You have to continue buying for upkeep: The product apparently isn’t designed to fix your problems and be done with. You have to continually use the serum to upkeep hair quality, which is a bummer because you have to pay a lot per bottle for... ever. (I will keep you updated on this in case it’s not necessarily true).
so, is it worth it?For someone dealing with hair loss, thinning or slow growth, this is an absolute must. In just one month there are impressive results and that is something at least worth trying. Yeah, it’s pricey, but if you’re serious about improvements without undergoing severe treatments this is worth the cost (and if it’s really not in the budget, you can delay or cancel any time). Take it from a gal who had limp noodle hair for years - this is good stuff.
So, are you going to give Vegamour a try? Let me know in the comments! If you have any questions, feel free to send a message on my Instagram. And if you want $10 off your first order, you can use my referral link here (not sponsored!).
(I post update photos every Wednesday on Instagram and save them in a highlight if you're interested in future progress!)
I'm trying to think of a roundup word for July and I can't. It just... flew by. I know that sounds cheesy but I can't recall when July started and how it's suddenly ending. The novelty of working from home is long gone and I'm just looking forward to the future. August will be the start of major changes in my life and I guess July was the blur that needed to happen. Here's what stuck with me this month:
major productivity!
Like I mentioned in June, I'm officially home alone. I've had lots of time to work! I'm really proud of my YouTube: I posted a video every single Friday. Say hello to a consistent YouTube schedule! July 2020 was when I finally got into a filming, editing, and posting groove.
I also took on new projects! I can't mention some yet (they're still in development). But one major project is moving toward a more sustainable lifestyle. I'm looking into sustainable brands, products, and habits to implement into my daily routine. So far, it has been a gratifying experience. I can't wait to keep going with this.
Patreon has also become a huge focus. I've developed a new group and we're getting along well! I'm hoping to expand so we have a community of our own.
what i've been consuming
YouTube. All the YouTube. Being alone means it's very quiet in the apartment. So I put YouTube on to fill the void. It's entertaining enough to pay attention, but not as needy as a podcast (I'd lose focus when working). Some of my favorite topics are veganism, vlogs, and Animal Crossing lol.
Shudder. Big surprise, huh? We finally got a subscription to this horror network! They never had good movies in the past, but they're starting to improve. We have been watching some really solid horrors lately.
some products i'm loving
S'well Takeaway Tumbler - Woman owned and diverse employees? A yes from me! Plus, they participate in programs towards sustainability. The matte black is sleek and I have no issues with it!
Kainku Handmade Face Mask - The fabric is such great quality! I'm always down to support a small business on Etsy. The spooky pattern is just my style. There's also a flap to insert filters.
Magic of I Pocket Journal - Hear this: 100% vegan, sustainable paper, plant-based packaging, donations to environmental organizations, small local printing, woman owned... the list goes on. This journal is special and beautiful... how could you not want to support such an incredible brand?
Yellowbird Jalapeno Condiment - I just happened to try this hot sauce.Ya'll - I could DRINK this sauce. I put it on everything. Vegan eggs, sandwiches, rice bowls... all the things! I got the bottle this month and I think I need to place an order for more.
looking forward.
July was a blur, but I made some great accomplishments. I'm glad I pushed through it. I'm glad there were more successes than failures. August is going to be a major month for me. I'll tell you all about it when it gets here but I'm excited to take on another project! You know me, I don't stop lol. Oh, and did I read a book? Nope. No, I did not. Maybe in August?
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